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Nadira Murray
Actress
The Vagina Monologues
In February, 2009:
West End Charity Performance In Aid Of V-Day, The Global Movement To End Violence Against Women And Girls.
What's On Stage - Nadira Murray On... Vagina Monologues for V-Day: The message of The Vagina Monologues is that we as women are not victims, and we shall not be victims of our past - we are powerful and very strong in every way. There’s a way you can help too – if you come to see the show, you will be contributing to some great causes. The charities that will benefit from the shows are tackling a number of important issues including sex trafficking, rape, and domestic violence - but this isn’t all about charity, it’s also about seeing some thought provoking, entertaining theatre too.
The British Ambassador's Belly Dancer
How does an individual survive the violence, grinding poverty and systematic abuses of Central Asia? The incredible but true story of Nadira's life is a testimony to the human spirit and the sheer will to survive. This is the story of thousands of women like her.
The title of The British Ambassador's Belly Dancer is ironic - the purpose of the play is to tell Nadira Murray's story and make crystal clear that she is much more than somebody's spouse. She does not see herself as a victim, but as a survivor and an achiever. In parts extremely moving, throughout Nadira Murray makes plain that these experiences - including multiple acts of sexual abuse by the police - are common experiences of her contemporaries. But the pathos is continually pierced by flashes of wit and a determination to find joy in the most trying of circumstances. Craig Murray does not appear in the narrative until the final third of the play, and any expectation that this play would be primarily about him is dashed by Nadira's initial assessment "I wondered who is this old foreigner - does he have any money?"
It also challenges cosy liberal assumptions - Nadira Murray's unabashed use of sexuality as part of her survival toolkit sits uncomfortably with Western feminist perspectives. Nadira calls it 'a feminist play in a feminine way'. A play that, moving from the hilarious to the tragic with unnerving speed, repeatedly challenges our assumptions.